Stamps’ next-man-up philosophy will be tested after D-line injuries

Rita Mingo, For the Calgary Herald08.22.2014

Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Demonte Bolden ran through plays with teammates during practice at McMahon Stadium on Thursday. Bolden’s play will be crucial as the Stamps enter the game with a banged-up D-Line.

No one is ever going to mistake them for the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, but there is a certain symmetry which the Calgary Stampeders’ defensive line adheres to each game.

And that is why plugging people well-versed in that symmetry into the battered and bruised line is most important.

“You have to do a good job of rolling your guys, so you have that continuity,” suggested Stamps’ D-line coach DeVone Claybrooks. “Scheme wise, it’s the same. You just have to get the feel and you get the feel from practice. You talk about everything. You discuss it as a group so everyone’s on the same page so you don’t have the extension of the learning curve.”

The interior of the D-line has been like a black hole for the Stamps. Corey Mace (turf toe) is still absent, while Micah Johnson suffered a knee injury in the most recent game in Hamilton. Also coming out of that game on the limp was backup tackle Freddie Bishop III, who has been wearing a walking boot on his left foot this week.

“The key to it is to do a good job with your depth and if you have great team depth, that’s what wins in this league,” Claybrooks pointed out. “Few other teams have been bit by the injury bug like we have — maybe Toronto, I guess — but defensively you want to make sure you have great depth. We take the next man up approach because, really, you’re the starter when you’re between those white lines. We plug the next guy in because he knows the standard that we require and we accept and we won’t take anything less than that standard.

“It requires some smart attention-to-detail guys and those are the type of guys we have in our room.”

Junior Turner and Quinn Smith have filled in at the one defensive tackle position, while Demonte Bolden will figure in the other on Sunday in Ottawa against the Redblacks. Bolden, who has been champing at the bit to get back into regular action, had a fine season in 2013, only to see it shut down on the final day of the regular wars in a rather meaningless game against the B.C. Lions, when he suffered a knee injury.

“No qualms at all,” Claybrooks said of having the 6-foot-5, 285-pound Bolden in the starting set. “He’s going to give me 120 per cent effort. He’s going to play lights out. He’s going to bust his tail to the ball, he’s going to do all the little things you ask him to do.

“He’s handled not playing after coming off a great year. It’s a testament to him being a pro and when his number is called you have faith.”

Indeed, the six-year CFL veteran has been itching for his turn, yet shown remarkable patience.

“I’m very happy, of course. I just want to play,” offered Bolden. “We suffered a ton of injuries this past game and you have to have back-ups who are ready to go in and finish the flow of the game and keep the game at a high tempo.

“It’s a regular hat now. I’m a vet. I know what’s coming. I understand what the team needs. I just want to win and compete for a Grey Cup. Get a chance for a ring before I leave this game.”

That attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“He’s ready to play, let’s put it that way,” said head coach/GM John Hufnagel. “He’s been practising hard each and every week, maybe practising too hard sometimes. But that’s the competitive guy that he is. He’s going to get an opportunity to play and I’m sure he’s going to do everything he can to stay on the field.”

EXTRA YARDS: Hufnagel was still hesitant to deem receiver Maurice Price ready for Sunday’s game. This was Price’s first week back at practice after suffering a broken hand. “Haven’t really decided yet. He’s running well. Most likely another week before contact would be best for the player.” . . . SB Nik Lewis, on the other hand, should make his way back onto the lineup. “Yes, quite possible,” Hufnagel said . . . OL Brander Craighead (ankle) once again was helmetless during Thursday’s practice, which means he’ll probably miss another game.

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